They say the BIG things in life are the ones that matter most. I beg to differ.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What’s up, everyone? It’s me again with another blog post regarding my trip to Bacolod-Iloilo-Guimaras (BIG Trip). A few months ago, I took a 5-day trip with my mother and a Bacolod-based friend to explore the beauty of Bacolod, Iloilo, and Guimaras province. There, we got the chance to bask in the beauty and richness of the culture, the scenery, and its people. To me, this trip was my BIG experience, literally B.I.G. (Bacolod, Iloilo, Guimaras) hahaha.
Before I take you to my trip experience, let me just tell you guys that I booked to Clark because we got a promo fare via Cebu Pacific! So, be on the lookout for airline promo fares!
What do I mean by BIG trip?
To give you an insight into the Wonderful trip that I am talking about. Let me tell you something about Bacolod, Iloilo, and Guimaras…
Bacolod, also known as the City of Smiles, is more than the vibrant festivals and culture celebrated. On the other hand, Iloilo is truly a place to visit, from its highland attractions that range from the peaks and waterfalls of the Iloilo mountains to the rice terraces! Guimaras is the birthplace of the world’s sweetest mangoes. A small island packed with natural attractions awaiting discovery!
Let me take you on a trip back to my memory lane, and experience with me the places I’ve visited in my BIG trip. Come on!
If you don’t want to hassles of looking for cheap flights you can always visit Filo Online Ticketing to help you with that!
My BIG Trip
Before we dive in further to my BIG trip, here’s a 5-minute vlog of my adventure!
Bacolod Tour
Our Bacolod tour began with an authentic, exquisite breakfast served at one of Silay’s most aesthetic and instagrammable locations, Punong Gary’s. Punong Gary’s is an event venue that Benin, a former member of the Side A Band, manages.
This is a definite must-see destination, why may you ask? With a beautiful landscape, the place radiates the vibes of Bali.
The view was so beautiful that we took photographs and walked around for half the day.
Our Silay Experience
At 3 pm, at Victory Silay, we then decided to attend a worship service. During worship, we were unable to understand the service because of their language, which was Hiligaynon, a dialect spoken by Ilonggo. Luckily, my Illongo friend and some locals were kind enough to translate some words for us.
Our trip to the famous Ruins
Finally, we visited the Ruins toward the end of our Bacolod trip to take some pictures. This place is famous for being the Philippines’ Taj Mahal. It is an ancestral land constructed during WWII and is one of Talisay’s most influential and photographed destinations.
The architectural narrative behind it is incredible! Our tour guide even joked about looking out the window to see Rapunzel’s tower. hahaha.
This is a public tourist destination with an entrance fee of Php 30 and opens daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
Guimaras Trip
Our next stop was Guimaras, after visiting Bacolod. At a rate of Php 335.00 per passenger, we rode the Weesam Express ferry from Bacolod to Iloilo first.
It took us a few hours to travel from Bacolod to Iloilo, so we decided to try the famous restaurant named Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy, where La Paz is their specialty.
The famous dish soup originated in Panay, Iloilo. It is sliced pork, pig’s innards, and Miki noodles that make up this broth. This type of soup bowl, along with other dish soups like Bulalo, Mami, and pares, is highly favored by Filipinos during the cold season.
A day tour in Guimaras
After trying the delicious local La Paz Batchoy, we headed back to the port for a boat ride to Guimaras. The boart ride from Iloilo to Guimaras cost us Php 30.00. Our Guimaras tour was exhausting but definitely worth it all! We decided to go on a day tour with a package rate of Php 1,200.
This package rate includes the following destinations and a tour guide:
- Jordan signage
- Smallest Plaza
- Windmill
- Holy Family
- Man-made forest
- Pitstop (lunch)
- Guimaras signage
- Mango plantation
- Trappist Monastery
- Guisi Lighthouse
- Alobijod Beach
- Raymens Beach
Jordan signage
Smallest Plaza
Windmill
Holy Family
- Pitstop (late lunch/PM snack)
Guimaras Signage
Mango plantation
Trappist Monastery
Guisi Lighthouse
Iloilo Trip
Travelling to Isla de Gigantes
After our exhausting but rewarding day tour in Guimaras, we headed back to Iloilo and went directly to our accommodation there because it was already night. Our Iloilo tour revolved around our Isla de Gigantes Day tour. We got up early for our morning tour and went to Iloilo City terminal to Bancal Port of Carles (which was the pickup point to Isla de Gigantes).
Island de Gigantes is one of the hidden gems that exist in the Philippines. Located in the Heart of the Visayan Sea, Island de Gigantes with its clear waters and scenic views (that looks like a photo from a postcard!) is surely something you wouldn’t want to miss on your vacation tour.
Cabugao Gamay Island Tour
Once we’ve arrived in Bancal Port, we started off with the Cabugao Gamay Island Tour which is 2 km off the coast of Isla de Gigantes.
Cabugao Gamay is an island surrounded by clear blue waters perfect for swimming and diving!
Bantigue Sandbar
Our next stop was the Bantigue Sandbar, it is known to be one of Isla de Gigantes’ golden spots!
It is a long and thin island with a 3-5 minute walk to reach the ends of its sandbar.
Unlimited scallops in Antonia Beach
After walking around and enjoying Isla de Gigantes, we decided to have lunch in Antonia Beach where we ate UNLIMITED SCALLOPS at a price of Php 1 per 1 scallop.
It was more enjoyable because of the people and locals we ate with. In addition to that, what made it great was the fact that the price we paid for this tour included our lunch! Sulit na sulit!
Tangke Lagoon
After eating our lunch, we were off to our final destination which was Tangke Lagoon. It is located behind the steep cliffs of Isla de Gigantes.
This hidden spot is known to be visited by locals and tourists for its shallow and refreshing saltwater. Tangke Lagoon is surely a cliff diving spot in Isla de Gigantes! Unfortunately, we were unable to do cliff diving because the tour guide didn’t offer it, but there’s a spot there specifically for cliff diving!
Our Isla de Gigantes Day tour ended at around 3 pm where we headed back to the port and arrived back in Iloilo at around 7 pm.
DIY Itinerary
Day 1
Travel from Clark to Bacolod via (name of the airline) – CebPac
9:20 PM Departure
10:32 PM Arrival
Day 2
Bacolod Tour
8:00 AM – Breakfast at Punong Gary’s
9:00 AM – Visit around Punong Gary’s (sightseeing)
1:00 PM – Victory Worship Service in Silay
3:00 PM – Travel to Ruins of Bacolod
5:00 PM – Travel back to our accommodation
9:00 PM – Dinner
10:00 PM – Sleep
Day 3
Guimaras Tour
7:00 AM – Wake up and travel to Bacolod Port
8:00 AM – Bacolod to Iloilo via Weesam Ferry
10:30 AM – Netong’s La Paz Batchoy
11:30 AM – Travel back to Iloilo Port
12:00 PM – Travel Iloilo to Guimaras
12:10 PM – Jordan signage
12:15 PM – Smallest Plaza
12:50 PM – Windmill
1:40 PM – Holy Family
2:20 PM – Man-made forest
2:40 PM – Guimaras signage
2:50 PM – Mango plantation
3:05 PM – Trappist Monastery
3:50 PM – Guisi Lighthouse
5:40 PM – Pitstop (PM Snack)
7:00 PM – Travel from Guimaras to Iloilo
8:00 PM – Back to accommodation
9:00 PM – Sleep
Day 4
Iloilo Tour
7:00AM – 9:00 AM – Wake up and travel to Bancal Port
9:30 AM – Boat ride from Bancal Port of Carles to Isla
10:40 AM – Cabugao Gamay Island
12:00 PM – Bantigue Sandbar
2:00 PM – Antonia Beach (Lunch stop)
3:00 PM -Tangke Lagoon
4:00 PM – Travel from Isla de Gigantes to Iloilo port
8:00 PM- Back to accommodation
9:00 PM – Sleep
Day 5
8:20 PM Departure
9:38 PM Arrival – Back to Clark
Trip Expenses
Clark to Bacolod – Php 552.6
Iloilo to Clark – Php 552.6
Bacolod Accommodation for 2 days – Php 2,000.00
Iloilo Accommodation for 3 days – Php 2,554.80
Weesam Fastcraft fare – Php 335.00/head
Iloilo Terminal Fee – Php 120.00
Guimaras Day Tour – Php 1,200.00
Isla de Gigantes Day Tour – Php 1,499.00/head
Wrapping up my BIG Trip
This BIG trip would not have much of an impact for me if it weren’t for the people I’ve met or the fulfillment of enjoying the most breathtaking views with my family. These are the little things that made my BIG trip memorable. To me, these are the ones that matter most when traveling.
Tiring, but definitely worth it!
If you’re not into 5-day tours, you can always have a 1 Day DIY Hiking Tour! Check out my hiking blogs to Mt. Nagpatong, Mt. Espadang Bato!
For more travel blog tours and queries, do not hesitate to send me a message through our website or Lakwatsya ni Say Facebook page or comment below!
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Till the next lakwatsa!
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Thank you for the very helpful guide, Say! Sakto because my friend and I just booked a flight to Iloilo for next year, April 2023. Bookmarked na itong blog mo because I think this will help us greatly for our trip! More power to you <3
Hi Miss Say! Huge fan of your travel vlogs. I get excited every time you come out with a Videos.